UK charity Al Muntada wins legal case against Nigerian newspaper

25 Apr 2019 News

The High Court of Kano in Nigeria has order the publishers of the Nigerian Tribune to pay damages to Al Muntada Al Islami Trust after a seven-year legal case. 

In 2012, the newspaper accused the charity of having connections to terrorism in an article linking the charity to Boko Haram, an African militant group. 

The allegations were repeated by international news outlets, academics and politicians. In a statement, the charity said this had damaged its reputation. 

Al Muntada immediately began legal action and earlier this month the Nigerian High Court ordered African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC — publishers of the Tribune — to pay 50 million Nigerian Naira (approximately £107,739) in damages to the charity.

The newspaper was also told to apologise to the charity and ordered not to publish any further defamatory statements.  

Dr Saeed Al-Ghadie, general supervisor of Al Muntada said it "will now ensure all steps are taken to fully restore Al Muntada’s exemplary reputation” and that its charitable activities “continue unburdened by the weight of these malicious and fabricated stories”.

The charity is based in London and provides education, cultural, social and spiritual activities. It has an income of around £3m a year. 

For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here